Grad’20 Nandita Valiramani on the Climate Fight That Found Her

As Nandita Valiramani stepped into her final year at Bangkok Patana School with the Class of 2020, she pictured a chapter marked by tradition, long-anticipated milestones, heartfelt farewells and the rituals of closure. Instead, the world shifted beneath her feet.

“I think it was early March when the news dropped,” Nandita recalls. “The pandemic hit, the school shut down and suddenly, our last day as Seniors came without warning.” A once carefully scripted ending to her school years dissolved overnight. For the first time in history, the IB exams were cancelled.

For Nandita, there was a strange relief in the chaos. “Honestly, it felt like a blessing in disguise. I was one of those students who really focused on my IAs, I poured my heart into them. So, when the grading algorithm took over, it was wild, unpredictable…but I hoped my work would still shine through.”

Despite the disruption, the Patana spirit endured. Led by Head of Year Matthew Jones, the Class of 2020 received a heartfelt and unexpectedly beautiful graduation ceremony. “It was more than I could have hoped for at the time,” she says, a smile softening the memory.

Nandita took the next bold step, flying across the world to The University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada, where she graduated in 2024 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Commerce, a surprising pivot from her IB Theatre roots. But for Nandita, the transition was anything but random. “Theatre and psychology aren’t that far apart. Both are about understanding human behaviour, perspectives and emotions, just through different lenses.”

While studying, she also rediscovered a passion that had quietly begun at Patana, Sustainability. “I took ESS (Environmental Systems and Societies) at Patana. Mr Smith was phenomenal. Watching documentaries like Blackfish and learning about the Taiji dolphin slaughter really ignited something deep inside me.”

After interning with a wildlife protection organisation and raising awareness about elephant tourism and factory farming, she felt the spark grow into something stronger, a purpose.

Back at UBC, Nandita found herself at the Sustainability Hub, working as a Climate Action Plan Lead while finishing her studies. It was a part-time job, but one that changed everything. “When I got the acceptance email, I thought, ‘Okay, we’re doing this.’”

Then came graduation and the world, once again, forced another pivot. Despite dreams of staying in Canada, a saturated job market and a feeling that “the signs were pointing home” led Nandita back to Thailand.

It wasn’t easy. “Coming back was heartbreaking. My friends were scattered around the world, I hadn’t lived here for three years and it felt like starting over.”

But destiny had plans. An internship opportunity at a chemical manufacturing company came her way. She threw herself into the role of Sustainability Intern, her fifth internship in six years and dazzled. By December 2024, she had officially landed a full-time role as a Sustainability Coordinator.

“My work lights a fire under me every single day,” she says. “The team is incredible, accessible, supportive, dynamic. I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”

Within the company, she splits her time between reporting and supply chain sustainability, balancing compliance with emerging global standards and diving into the ‘belly of the beast’, ensuring environmental best practices are woven into every step of the production process.

Beyond her professional life, Nandita continues to stay connected to her roots, helping grow the Bangkok Patana Alumni network, driven by a vision of making the alumni community stronger and more vibrant.

Looking back, the twists and turns, the cancelled exams, the dashed plans, the forced homecoming, weren’t detours. They were the making of her.

“I’ve always been someone who loves to be challenged. I thrive outside my comfort zone. Now, I get to do meaningful work that excites me every single day,” she says, her voice a mix of passion and gratitude.

For Nandita Valiramani, Life After Patana isn’t just about finding a career. It’s about finding her fire and letting it light the way.